Accessory card or plastic money holder in standard credit card format

ABSTRACT

An accessory card or plastic money holder in standard credit card format includes a rigid container, openable, being on one side provided with a closing mechanism, which is made up of two half-hulls, on one side hinged, on the opposite side joinable in abutment to one another to be engaged in logical correspondence by a combination closing mechanism. The half-hulls are joined along the sides by a membrane as a bellows for each side, the folds of each of which form seatings for the support, along two opposite sides, of the relative plastic card.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention refers to an accessory card or plastic money holder in standard credit card format.

[0005] The innovation finds particular even if not exclusive application in the field of personal clothing accessories, transportable, finalized at containing more credit cards and other cards or any plastic card carrying personal information in such format, as for example the cash card, the driving license, the identification card and others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The credit card format is traditionally known. Widely used in the field of so-called plastic money, more generically the plastic card today has found a wide-spread use also for other functions. We can briefly remember the medium of fiscal private data, the driving-licence and the identity card.

[0007] The medium, in the form of a card is made up of a small portion of plastic material, rigid, with a rectangular format that provides a length of about 85 mm×54 mm with a tolerance of±1 mm for each of the two sides, and with a thickness of about 1 mm. The front is usually interested by an enjoyable graphic component, and reports the company or the issuing body, but above all, in relief, the private data of the possessor. The back part, instead, is provided with a magnetic stripe besides indications on the use and the properties of it. There are furthermore some forecasts, moreover already experimented, where the introduction of a microchip in the plastic support is assumed, which for its nature can contain different information with the purpose of allowing dialogues and integrated functions.

[0008] This natural proliferation of plastic cards involves a problem, which is tied to the need to have suitable spaces to contain them and, above all, safely. Safety, meant not only as safeguarding them from theft, but also with the purpose of protecting them from possible impacts that however and not seldom, can interest delicate parts, damaging them in an irreparable way. We can briefly remember the frequent case of the impossibility of reading the magnetic stripe, a circumstance that is usually and often erroneously referred to as generic “demagnetization”.

[0009] To obviate these drawbacks, it is a good rule that the plastic card should be carried in the wallet, or in similar leather accessories free from the former. This is the case, in good substance, of soft manufactured articles, like rope fabric, leather, imitation leather and so forth, which, openable as a book, have the use on one side of at least a plurality of pockets usually distributed one aligned above the other. The shape of the pockets is such that it allows for a limited depth, so that, for example, the credit cards are protected only partially. A second defect of the proposal under consideration, regards the fact that the absence of a rigid containing structure involves the permanent deformation of the cards, generally giving them a typical bending, circumstance that, as moreover the first, can cause problems to the reading.

[0010] Still a defect, finally, is due to the practical impossibility to reasonably contain a certain number of plastic cards, a problem that is linked mostly to the lack of space. On the other hand, it is necessary to also consider that this is a situation that is going to get worse, because of the fact that their number will increase in time.

[0011] Minor solutions, that are mentioned as a duty to information, regard single containers, or single carriers. It is just the case to remember the existence on the market of single carriers, moreover not rigid, aimed at containing a single card or plastic money. The problems are evident, from the impossibility to contain more cards in addition to the natural lack of protection, inasmuch as they are always and only partially protected, just as the solutions included in the wallets.

[0012] Finally, a proposal certainly not more common than the previous one, consists in providing a plastic material container, rigid, often for a single credit card, whose shape is given by a parallelepiped like a pocket. Also in this case, the main problem of the container lies in the fact that the card or the cards or badges, remain however partially exposed to the environment, so that the dust and the humidity can influence its correct working. Besides, one again observes the main drawback of limited containment of cards, unless withstanding an excessive over-dimensioning of the container, that makes it on the one hand uncomfortable and not very pleasant aesthetically, on the other it creates difficulty in the extraction from the same of a single card.

[0013] Plastic card carrying devices, structured to safeguard and prevent the theft of the same, have certainly been well known for a long time and have already formed the object of numerous patents.

[0014] A short investigating in this sense, with sole informative and generic ends, has allowed, for example, to single out the patent FR 0187604 (Nuel). In it an elongated body is described, with a rectangular parallelepiped shape, rigid with its two ends removable, susceptible of sliding on the inside of the container and positionable along the same. The underside of said container is provided with a slit obtained on both sides, in correspondence with which and falling the single credit cards, in this case, are arranged in turn. To retrieve them, it is necessary for the user, in correspondence with one of the two slits, to act with a pushing means, stressing the interested credit card to exit on the other side and making a second one fall down in its place , ready to be extracted.

[0015] A second example of a carrier with the same purpose as the previous one, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,712 (Williams). Also in this case a rectangular parallelepiped structure is provided, of rigid and transparent plastic material. The upper part provides a slit, which is not rectilinear, but it would seem to be slightly bent. Being careful to flex each of the cards on one side, it is possible to introduce them on the inside of said container, where, retaking the primary position, the extraction through the same way will be rendered impossible.

[0016] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,944 (Plocher), differently from patents mentioned previously, a transportable accessory is suggested, where not only the problem of containing the plastic cards in a protected environment and also protected by possible theft is faced, but also the problem of an easier drawing. In good substance, a parallelepiped rigid container is provided, like a box, with, on the inside, guides cooperating with a slide extraction device of the single cards. In this case, said extraction device consists of some rectilinear stems, joined at one end to a support body engageable to the cap that occludes the said container. Sideways the said container is furthermore provided with longitudinal guides, through which exit teeth, that, stressed by the fingers of a hand as cursors, determine the interaction of the extraction device, causing the card to exit through the front end of the container, of just the amount needed to be easily taken.

[0017] Same purposes can be found in WO 91/01096 (Cozens), where a container for cards or similar flat objects is described. In more detail, said container provides a hinged extremity, that can be brought down, to help pick out the bank card by the head, in this way introduced on the inside and along the container. The operation appears simplified by the presence of a cursor, which placed in correspondence with one of the two greater areas slides in a longitudinal direction, according to the extracting direction of the card. In this case, it would seem that the underside of the cursor is equipped with an engager to the underlying credit card, to favor its hooking and its translation through the intake, temporarily opened, of the container.

[0018] As much in FR 0187604 (Nuel) as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,712 (Williams), a first inconvenience is due to the fact that, even if it is the case of rigid containers, they do not seem to be conveniently structured to be commonly carried, like one of the traditional clothing accessories that normally accompany us. And in fact, at a first look, they seem more like structures and like devices aimed at being steadily placed in a certain spot, which one could use only seldom.

[0019] A second inconvenience with reference to the earlier solutions, regards the fact that said containers do not allow a fast and easy access to the inside of them, to extract, when needed, the desired plastic card. Besides, the distribution of these is one in contact and on top of the other so that it is impossible to select one, if not by examining all of the ones contained in such way.

[0020] Finally, a third and last aspect, is related to the fact that they offer an only relative protection from the external environment. This is because both the mentioned cases are however provided with openings, more or less important, made in correspondence with at least one side, and through which dust and liquids can get in, that can damage the card contained in such way.

[0021] About proposals described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,944 (Plocher) and in WO 91/01096 (Cozens), even if original, they have a non-negligible defect, which, shortly, consists in the practical impossibility to simultaneously contain different plastic cards. It is not a case, more particularly, of just a sizing problem but of the configuration of the extraction device of the credit cards. On the other hand said device, particularly in the first of the proposed solutions, seems complex, therefore affecting in relevant measure also the cost of the finished product.

[0022] Another inconvenience, finally, is related to the problem of safety against the subtraction of plastic cards from the container. There is no doubt that the solutions prospected above, allow anybody to intervene on the devices that allow the extraction of single cards from the relative housing, so that for example for a child, it is easy to pick them out, whereafter their loss is almost guaranteed.

[0023] From here, the need to find alternative solutions and therefore accessories more functional than the ones until now available.

[0024] The aim of this invention is also to avoid the described drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] This and other aims are achieved with this invention according to the characteristics as in the included claims, solving the arising problems with an accessory card or plastic money holder in standard credit card format of the type made up of a rigid container, openable, being provided with a closing means on one side, which is made up of two half-hulls, hinged on one side, on the opposite side joinable in abutment one to the other to be interested in logical correspondence by a combination closing means, and furthermore in which the said half-hulls are joined along the sides by a membrane like a bellows for each side, the folds of each of which form seatings for the support, along two opposite sides, of the relative plastic card.

[0026] In this way, through the considerable creative contribution which effects have allowed to reach a considerable technical progress, different advantages are achieved.

[0027] Regarding a first aspect, of the functional type, one detects a considerable reduction in the space needed to contain a plurality of plastic cards. Resulting in the realization of an accessory particularly contained in size, and also, under an aesthetic profile, agreeable, as the two half-hulls allow to be submitted to different finishing processes.

[0028] The particularity of providing two half-hulls oppositely matchable one to the other, as a shell, allows to obtain an accessory particularly attentive to the need of protection of the plastic cards therein contained, safeguarding them from the possible action of dust, from humidity and in general from the damages from contact as well as, eventually, with suitable coating shieldings, from the interference of magnetic fields.

[0029] Another advantage consists in providing a closing device that, being a combination one, has the aim to prevent the undesired opening of the accessory with container functions. It is evident that the contrivance cannot prevent the theft of the accessory as a whole, but only hinder the opening of the same from children and other people operating with dexterity, as for example the swindlers that usually circulate in shopping centers.

[0030] These and other advantages will appear from the following specific description of some preferred embodiments with the aid of the schematic drawings enclosed, whose details are not to be considered limitative but only and solely illustrative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 represents a side sectional view of the accessory for containing plastic cards, in a closed condition.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the accessory of FIG. 1.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a view in detail of a portion of the bellows side of the accessory in a closed condition as in FIG. 1.

[0034]FIG. 4 represents a side sectional view of the accessory for containing plastic cards, in an open condition.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the accessory as in the previous figure.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a view in detail of a portion of the bellows side in a condition of open accessory as in FIG. 4.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the accessory as in previous figures.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a view taken from A of the accessory as in previous figures.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the accessory of FIG. 7, taken along axis K-K.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the accessory as in previous figures, taken along axis L-L of FIG. 7.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a second cross sectional view of the accessory as in previous figures, taken along axis M-M of FIG. 7.

[0042] Finally FIG. 12 is an additional cross sectional view of the accessory as in previous figures, taken along axis N-N of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Also with reference to the figures, one detects that an accessory (A) card or plastic money holder, both defined more generically as plastic card (B) in standard credit card format, is of the type made up of two half-hulls (1, 2) re-closable as a shell, respectively a lower or basic one (1) and an upper-one (2), each made up of a rigid body, with related side walls (10, 20) along the greater sides and preferably with rounded edges.

[0044] Both the half-hulls (1, 2), seen in a plan view, with an essentially rectangular conformation, are joined in correspondence with one of the two lower sides, respectively (11, 21), to form a hinge. In further detail, from the shape of each one, monolithically, protruding bodies (111, 211), cylindrical, are obtained, axially hollow which act as through-holes. The alternated position of first through-holes (111) obtained at the end of the basic half-hull (1), allows to insert the through-holes of the opposite half-hull (2), therefore realizing a continuous seating, where coaxially a pivot can be introduced which constrains and hinges on one side the two assemblies (1, 2).

[0045] As regards the shape of the basic half-hull (1), it is more developed in length with respect to the upper half-hull (2). This fact allows to obtain in correspondence with the extremity (12) opposite to the end (11), a transverse seating protruding vertically, closable by a cap (121), inside which the closing device can be lodged. In this case, the closing device to obtain the locking of the half-hull (2) under lee of the half-hull (1) is made up of roto-combination members. To do this, the controllers (3) enclosed and hinged inside the seating (12, 121) are three, in such a way that at least a part (31) of said controllers protrudes towards the exterior of said seating (12, 121), favoring the movement of each of them with the action of one of the fingers of a hand. Along the side of the seating (12, 121), directed towards the inside of the container (A), related openings are provided as guides, through which teeth exit in the shape of an “L” (4), which movable in one direction or in the other by means of the interaction of the controllers (3) with other members, determine the engagement or vice versa of the end portion (22, 221) of the upper half-hull (2), obtained in the opposite side with respect to the end (21).

[0046] More particularly, the upper half-hull (2) in correspondence with the extremity (22), provides a short section (221) bent at 90° which, with the accessory in a closed condition, is placed parallel and under lee of the seating (12, 121) of the lower half-hull (1). Furthermore, the side (221) is provided with openings coinciding in at least one position with the teeth (4) and inside which, with the half-hulls (1, 2) closed one over the other, said teeth (4) insinuate themselves. In that way, operating in the locking condition by means of the rotation of the controllers (3) each tooth (4) is made to move sideways a little at a time, ending up engaging the corresponding retaining seat (223).

[0047] Regarding the side joining of the two half-hulls (1, 2), it is realized by two specular membranes (5), right and left respectively, that can also have the function of limiting the stroke. Both are joined with the ends to the longer sides (13, 23) of said accessory, and can, in one case, be contained on the inside of the container as the side-walls (10, 20) of the half-hulls (1, 2) are external and join in abutment one to the other as a shell. In a second hypothesis of embodiment, where side-walls (10, 20) turned up oppositely to one another are not provided for, along the longer sides (13, 23) of the two half-hulls (1, 2), the membranes (5) can alternatively constitute the sole elements of side definition of the container.

[0048] As regards the shape of said membranes (5), one observes that in one case they are made up of a semi-rigid bellows, of the pre-folded type, also ribbed, where the inside of each folding constitutes the housing seat of one of the two longer sides of the plastic card. Finally, as regards the length of said membranes (5), one detects that it is slightly shorter than the length of the upper half-hull (2), while the width of each folding that acts as support for the relative card is approximately equal to at least ¼ of the internal width of the housing. 

I claim:
 1. Accessory card or plastic money holder, of the type made up of a rigid container, openable, being on one side provided of a closing means, characterised in that it includes two half-hulls (1, 2), hinged on one side (11, 21), on the opposite side (12, 22) joinable in abutment to one another to be engaged by a closing means (3, 4), and furthermore in which the said half-hulls (1, 2) are joined along the sides adjacent to the hinge, by a specular membrane (5) which, along the surface facing towards the inside of the container (A) provides seatings (51) each suitable to support sideways the relative card or plastic money (B).
 2. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to claim 1, characterised in that the said membranes (5), are made up of a semi-rigid bellows, where the inside (51) of each folding constitutes the housing seat of a side of the card or plastic money (B).
 3. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to claims 1 and 2 characterised in that at least one of the two half-hulls (1, 2) provides a seating (12, 121) containing the closing device (3, 4).
 4. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that the basic half-hull (1) is more developed in length with respect to the upper half-hull (2), providing in correspondence with the extremity (12) opposite to the end (11), a protruding transverse seating closable by a cap (121), inside which the closing device (3, 4) is to be lodged.
 5. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that the closing device (3, 4) includes controllers (3) enclosed and hinged inside the seating (12, 121), in such a way that at least one part (31) of said controllers protrudes towards the exterior of said seating (12, 121).
 6. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that along the side of the seating (12, 121), facing towards the inside of the container (A), related openings are provided for as guides, through which teeth (4) exit, which movable by means of the interaction of the controllers (3) with others members, determine the engagement or vice versa of the end portion (22, 221) of the upper half-hull (2), obtained in the opposite side with respect to the end (21).
 7. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that the upper half-hull (2) in correspondence with the extremity (22) provides a short section (221) bent towards the basic half-hull (1) and provided with openings coinciding in at least one position with the teeth (4).
 8. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that members, interacting with the controllers (3), stress each tooth (4) to move sideways, until engaging the corresponding retaining seat (223).
 9. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that the si/de joining of the two half-hulls (1, 2), is realised by two specular membranes (5), respectively right and left, which limit the stroke, and joined with the ends to the longer sides (13, 23) of said accessory (A).
 10. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that each half-hull (1, 2), in correspondence with the extremity (11, 21) provides, obtained monolithically, protruding bodies (111, 211), cylindrical, axially hollow which act as through-holes; and in which the alternated position of first through-holes (111) obtained at the end of the basic half-hull (1), allows to insert the through-holes of the opposite half-hull (2), therefore realizing a continuous seating, where a pivot is coaxially introduced that constrains and hinges on one side the said two assemblies (1, 2).
 11. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to previous claims, characterised in that the membranes (5) are contained on the inside of the container under lee of the side walls (10, 20) of the half-hulls (1, 2) which therefore are external and join in abutment one to the other as a shell.
 12. Accessory card or plastic money holder, according to claims from 1 to 10, characterised in that, being the half-hulls (1, 2) without side walls (10, 20) the membranes (5) form the elements of side definition of the container (A). 